|
|
| |
Nepal: Arms exports fuel human rights crisis, says Amnesty International
Misuse of small arms by the government armed forces and the armed opposition |
Caption: Soliders guarding a Kathmandu temple © AI |
A report by Amnesty International (an IANSA member) on Nepal reveals that supplies of small arms and associated military equipment to the Nepal armed forces have been "authorised" despite the atrocities and other grave human rights abuses committed by those forces. Arms suppliers include Belgium (submachine guns), India (rifles and many other items), and the USA (assault rifles, "special force training etc), with support from France (helicopter parts), the UK (helicopters, surveillance planes and other items) and South Africa (military communications equipment). German brand H&K assault rifles are also used but the German government denies sending any. |
As a result of the resistance by the Nepalese people themselves, and international campaigning by IANSA members and others, the European Union has suspended arms supplies, and India and the USA have them under review - a struggle is currently underway around the US Congress to stop the next arms delivery. Meanwhile, China and Pakistan have been mooted as the next suppliers.
That is why we need a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty, so join the Control Arms campaign and step up the actions.
Write to the embassies of the above states to tell them that such supplies are contrary to international law, undermine security and destroy people's lives.
The report received international media coverage including on Star TV across Asia and elsewhere.
|
| |
|
|
